Hi

[Heathkir]

Hi I'm new to this site. I have Fibromyalga, anxiety, depression, insomnia, migraines. I am a single mum to 3 kids. My eldest daughter is 17 and I couldn't manage without her. I am struggling with the pain and finding nothing helps. I would love any tips xx

[rosewine]

Firstly welcome to the site I think you will find the people here really friendly and supportive. If you ask questions there is usually someone out there who has had the same experience and can help or at least reassure you that what you are going through is not unique as we can all feel very alone with this illness. it sounds that you are doing tremendously well with bringing up three children on your own and it appears you have a treasure in your 17 year old.

Have you looked at our Mother site FibroAction which you can click on in the grey area at the top of the page as there is alot of very useful information.

I don't know from what you have put whether you work or not as I had to give up a job I loved because I just could not physically sit in the chair for any length of time without tremendous pain and the fibro fog interfered too much with the old thought processes as I was an advisor. One of the main tips we always give to a newbie is to try and pace yourself and do little bits at a time so I try to split big tasks into easier smaller sections. However bad you feel do try to get some sort of exercise even if you do the exercises sitting down or lying on the bed, gentle stretching can often help ease the muscles. Alot fo us find a soak in a warm bath with Epsom salts beneficial and this was also recomended by my physio as she uses that method herself. Sometimes alternative methods such as Acupuncture or using a Tens machine can help where medication fails.

Have you been referred to a Pain Clinic as you might find that beneficial. Keep in touch with us all as we try to have a laugh and a bit of light relief from our pain as well as the more serious stuff of trying to support and help one another.x

[Heathkir in reply to rosewine]

Thank you for your reply. I don't work ,I had to give up after I had a mini stroke 3 years ago, I was only 39. I couldn't take a job as I also suffer the extreme tiredness and insomnia so my sleep pattern is awful! I also lost 4 stone 2 years ago and was doing exercise but with my anxiety and depression and a marriage split I've put on 2 stone and I find I'm too sore to exercise. I have no motivation at the moment. Can stress make Dubois worse? Xx

[Heathkir in reply to Heathkir]

Fibromyalga not Dubois as my autocorrect put x

[rosewine]

Yes it definately can. If you think about it if we are stressed we are tense and when you are tense you tend to hold yourself quite rigid and as you can imagine this strains our muscles so they hurt. This would happen to someone who was quite healthy that is why people get tension headaches. Of course with fibro the muscles ache in any case so added stress just makes this worse.

It sounds as though you have been through a lot and often our bodies seem to cope at the time it is only after it is all over that they tend to react.

Weight unfortunately puts extra stress on our joints which causes more pain. Have you tried going to the swimming baths, not necessarily to swim but just walking in the water can be a good form of exercise.x

[Heathkir]

My Fibromyalga has flared up over the last few weeks and uv had a lot of extra stress. I feel so weak as if my body just can't move. When I try to do anything even pealing a potato is agony. Housework takes ages as Ive got to keep sitting down and I'm so tired all the time. I was going to the gym which was helping but since this flare up I'm too sore. I will try the swimming baths though. I take painkillers and anti inflammatory but I don't find they help much. X

[Crazy_Horse]

Hi Heathkir,

Welcome to the forum.

You are facing many challenges at the moment. Must feel overwhelming.

Rosewine has done a great job welcoming you. I just wanted to say hi and welcome!

I'd also like to mention the Fibroaction Fibromyalgia A-Z guide which is "pinned" in the upper right hand corner of the page. Lots of helpful info in the A-Z guide as well!

Hope to see you around the forum!

Crazy_Horse

[TheAuthor]

Hi Heathkir

Welcome to the forum and it is wonderful to make your acquaintance. I sincerely hope that you find the forum useful, informative and loads of fun! I have pasted you a link below to our mother site, FibroAction which hosts loads of useful Fibro information:

fibroaction.org

I genuinely look forward to seeing you around the forum.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[fenbadger]

Welcome indeed. I cant improve on the information above. But welcome and I hope you find helpful material, and have a little fun. Laughter is the best medicine sometimes and helps some of us forget for a while our condition.